A year after the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) approved a $250,000 grant to plan the future of The Alameda, the community meetings are starting.

The Caltrans grant, supplemented with a pledge of $50,000 from the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, is to develop a comprehensive urban design plan along The Alameda from Highway 880 to the Diridon Station on Cahill Street, with special attention paid to the intersections of The Alameda at Race Street and at Stockton Avenue.

The goal is to make the thoroughfare safer and more pedestrian friendly.

The first meeting on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1100 Shasta Ave. at The Alameda. It will focus on The Alameda between Race Street, Naglee Avenue and Taylor Street.

The second meeting on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. will take place at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center, 938 The Alameda. It will focus on The Alameda between Race Street and the Diridon Station.

The Alameda is currently under the jurisdiction of Caltrans as it is part of State Highway 82. San Jose Department of Transportation is negotiating with Caltrans for future control.

However, before accepting ownership of The Alameda, San Jose wants Caltrans to commit funds for refurbishment and future maintenance.

To be notified of future community meetings on The Alameda, e-mail Eva Klinger in the redevelopment agency at eva.klinger@san joseca.gov.

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